In this interview, we had the opportunity to speak with Alexander Dahl, VP of Data and Analytics at Laerdal Medical! Alexander will be speaking at the upcoming Data 2030 Summit 2024 in Stockholm. In this interview, we discuss how Laerdal is leveraging data and AI to drive life-saving innovations, the transition to a governed data mesh architecture, and the organization’s ambitious goal to save one million more lives annually by 2030. Alexander also shares his insights on the future of healthcare technology and the critical role data plays in transforming the industry.
Hyperight: Can you tell us more about yourself and your organization? What are your professional background and current working focus?
Alexander Dahl: Laerdal Medical is a world leader in healthcare education and resuscitation training. By using immersive technologies and data-centric insights, we help to increase survival and improve healthcare quality. We empower lifesavers, and healthcare workers, to help them save more lives.
A mission like ours is a powerful driver for innovation, and at Laerdal, this has always been our focus. From the first CPR training mannequins and medical devices to today’s XR, digital, and AI-powered solutions, we are constantly looking for ways to help save more lives.
Our goal is to help save one million more lives, every year, by 2030. This relentless
drive to use technology for good is what attracted me—and many others—to join
Laerdal Medical.
I have worked in data, analytics, and AI for nearly 20 years, focusing primarily on
behavioral analytics and using data and AI to drive digital transformation. Before
joining Laerdal Medical, I held similar roles in finance, telecom, and retail.
At Laerdal, I head the Data Office, where we oversee data governance, engineering,
architecture, analytics, and AI. Over the past two years, we have modernized most of
our capabilities, moving to a governed data mesh architecture and a federated
operating model. We have also established a highly scalable AI and data technology
infrastructure, ensuring Laerdal is ready for the future.
We work closely with our product and business teams to help deliver the products
and services that will enable us to achieve our mission.
Hyperight: During the Data 2030 Summit 2024, you will share more on Transforming Healthcare: Leveraging Data and AI in Life-Saving Innovations. What can the delegates at the event expect from your presentation?
Alexander Dahl: Broadly speaking, healthcare has traditionally lagged behind other industries in adopting new technologies—we all remember those lengthy doctor visits. However, in recent years, this has dramatically changed. With the advent of new data and AI technologies, we’re witnessing a rapid transformation in the healthcare industry.
In this interview, I will highlight some of the key changes and opportunities we’re seeing in healthcare and showcase how Laerdal is actively leveraging technology to drive this transformation. But as we know, it’s not just about AI—it’s about integrating data, people, and processes effectively. I’ll share how we’ve positioned ourselves to be leaders in this field.
Our journey has included not only implementing a new operating model for data and AI but also transitioning to a federated data mesh architecture, and establishing self-service data and AI capabilities.
Throughout this presentation, I will provide examples of how we’ve utilized AI and
data to create innovative healthcare solutions, discuss the critical elements needed
for success, and explore how these strategies can be applied by others.
Hyperight: As a professional in data and analytics, how do you perceive the significance of these fields in today’s business environment, particularly within the healthcare industry?
Alexander Dahl: One of the most significant changes I’ve observed in recent years is how AI is democratizing access to powerful analytics capabilities. Use cases that were once limited to the largest or most tech-savvy organizations are now accessible to almost everyone. As a result, the competitive edge gained solely from analytics is
diminishing. To maintain an advantage in the market, it’s now crucial to have access
to unique, high-quality data and to apply analytics and AI effectively to that data.
However, it’s essential to recognize that excelling in analytics and AI is no longer
optional – it’s mandatory. Organizations that fail to leverage these tools risk falling
behind as others use them to gain a competitive advantage. As the saying goes, “AI
won’t take your job, but someone using AI will,” which perfectly encapsulates the
need to prioritize data, analytics, and AI.
Focusing on the healthcare industry, data, analytics, and AI are driving the transformation we are witnessing. These technologies have the potential to completely revolutionize healthcare—from education and training to diagnostics and lifesaving interventions. Just as AI is democratizing access to data and insights, it will also democratize access to quality healthcare. We are already seeing examples of this, and even more advancements are expected in the coming years.
The biggest challenges will be transforming our existing healthcare systems to
become data-driven and to work seamlessly alongside AI. Additionally, regulatory
frameworks will need to evolve to support innovation and change while safeguarding
patient interests.
Hyperight: How would you describe your professional journey in data and analytics so far? What are the learning points for you today?
Alexander Dahl: It has been two very interesting decades. The first 10-15 years I think I had to spend a lot more time just to get people to listen to why this is important and the value it can create – justifying why we need to invest in data and analytics. However, in recent years, especially after the introduction of tools like ChatGPT, everyone’s focus has shifted to data and AI.
It feels like we’ve finally reached the light at the end of one tunnel. Now, we must enter a new one: understanding what it means when data and AI take center stage and demonstrating the real value before the hype fades.
My main takeaway from these years is that it’s all about the people. Technologies are constantly evolving, but the key to success is bringing together the right people for the right challenges. As a leader, you need to be assertive when facing challenges, yet flexible and empathetic. By doing so, you can win the hearts and minds of those around you, encouraging them to join this exciting journey in data and AI.
Hyperight: Could you elaborate on any challenges you faced when working with data and analytics? If so, what strategies did you employ to navigate and overcome them?
Alexander Dahl: One of the biggest challenges with data, and especially AI, are the hype and misconceptions surrounding them. It is a field where many have strong opinions, but few have a deep understanding. This often leads to a disconnect between what is possible, both when it comes to timelines, solutions and impact. It also takes focus away from factors that are key to succeed, like ensuring a solid foundation and governance.
And I think this applies universally to healthcare as well as any other industry.
To work around it there are some things one should always focus on, like having a
clear plan or strategy, securing buy in at the top, but also getting support from the
grassroots, developing competencies and showing value iteratively by developing
smaller use cases that can show value (or failure) quickly and iterate and scale from
there.
Hyperight: What do you think are the biggest benefits of AI in healthcare, considering its impact on diagnostic accuracy, personalized medicine, patient monitoring, drug discovery, and patient experience? How have these advancements reshaped the industry and improved outcomes?
Alexander Dahl: As mentioned, I believe that AI has and will have a pervasive impact on healthcare.
From removing mundane tasks from doctors, thus freeing up time to focus more on patients, diagnosis and drug discovery, to training and supporting healthcare workers and community responders in actual interventions, there will be an AI involved in almost all aspects of healthcare.
The opportunities within healthcare for use of AI is almost limitless, so the impact
there will be bigger than in most other industries.
The good thing is that this means that it is possible to provide access to better
healthcare for a much larger part of the global population.
At Laerdal, we are dedicated to leveraging AI in innovative ways to help save more
lives. One example is RevivR, an app developed in collaboration with the British
Heart Foundation. This app allows users to learn CPR at their own pace using just a
smartphone and a pillow. Thanks to AI technology, the app monitors and guides
users through the training process, making life-saving skills accessible to everyone.
Another example is LiveBorn, a solution designed to assist in saving newborns in
low-income settings. Using computer vision and sound detection, LiveBorn monitors
the delivery room, and if no signs of life are detected from the newborn, it provides
real-time guidance to healthcare workers on how to perform resuscitation.
By making critical knowledge and skills more accessible, and utilizing AI to support
healthcare professionals, solutions like RevivR and LiveBorn are helping save
countless lives every year.
Hyperight: As an experienced VP of Data and Analytics, what data and/or analytics trends do you expect to see in the upcoming 12 months?
There is an increasing need for businesses to prioritize compliance and ethics when
it comes to the use of data and AI. The ethical aspect is often overlooked. As
technological advancements in data and AI outpace the ability of regulators to keep
up, gaps can emerge between regulation and what is technologically possible. This
makes it crucial for businesses to ask not just if they can do something, but if they
should. Companies that take a clear ethical stance will likely benefit in the long run,
building trust and credibility in the market.
Looking ahead, I am particularly excited about the potential of quantum-enhanced generative AI (GenAI). While current GenAI technologies offer great promise, they require significant computing power, typically run in the cloud, and depend on stable internet connections. At Laerdal, we serve many customers who may not have reliable internet access, but could greatly benefit from advanced AI solutions.
Quantum-enhanced GenAI could address this challenge. By leveraging the
principles of quantum computing, it can significantly improve the performance of GenAI algorithms enabling advanced AI to run in real time on lower performance edge devices.
For Laerdal Medical, this opens up a range of possibilities, allowing us to embed AI into more of our products, from training solutions to medical devices. This advancement would significantly contribute to our mission of saving one million lives per year and beyond.
I am confident that the next 12 months will continue the trend of rapid innovation and development, especially in the field of AI. It promises to be an incredibly exciting year ahead.
Data 2030 Summit 2024: The Countdown Begins…
With less than two weeks to go, the excitement is building for what promises to be a landmark event in data management!
Don’t miss your chance to join the Data 2030 Summit – a gathering set to shape the future of AI-driven organizations! Attend online through Agorify or in person. This is your chance to gain not only the knowledge and skills, but also the connections to thrive in the new AI era. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
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